Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Obama Presses Forward with Culture of Death

President Barack Obama signed an executive order to allow federal funding of research that will require the killing of human embryos.

This order reverses a policy instituted by former President George W. Bush in August 2001, which funded research on already-existing stem cell lines without encouraging any further destruction of human life.

While making the announcement, Obama said that he would seek to “ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction.” But neither in his remarks nor in the executive order itself did he say anything about stopping human cloning for purposes other than human reproduction—such as cloning human embryos in order to extract their stem cells for research.

Understand that the ability of research facilities and universities to commit to this research has never been limited by law or the government . The only thing that President Bush did was prevent the use of your tax dollars form being used to fund it. The reason the private sector will not fund this research is because they have found it leads them literally to a dead end. Embryonic stem cell research has not produced any positive results. The research requires the destruction of human life and has NEVER helped a single patient.

Daniel S. McConchie, vice-president of government affairs for Americans United for Life, wrote, “Ten years after the first isolation of embryonic stem cells, there is not a single disease that these cells can cure.” He adds, “Scientists have been conducting research on mouse embryonic stem cells for over 25 years and are yet unable to cure mice.”

So guess what? The private and university money has gone into ADULT stem cell research, induced pluripotent stem cells, and neonatal stem cells (found in the used placenta and umbilical cord) research --which can be obtained without doing the donor any harm-- and this kind of stem cell research (without killing days-old unborn children) is helping patients and saving lives now andhas produced better results.

"Scientists have developed what appears to be a safer way to create a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells, boosting hopes that such cells could sidestep the moral and political quagmire that has hindered the development of a new generation of cures."Indeed, this could well be the year--of ethically acceptable, far more promising venues than hollowing out human embryos.

Those of you who have followed the intense debate over embryonic stem cell research know that one of the most promising alternatives is to reprogram adult stem cells (typically skin cells)--to send them back in time, so to speak. The Washington Post's Rob Stein put it this way: to "coax skin cells into a state that appears biologically identical to embryonic stem cells." ...

Last year Andras Nagy and a team of scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto started to investigate a new reprogramming method. Soon afterwards they began collaborating with a British group led by Keisuke Kaji at the University of Edinburgh, according to the Star. (Their findings were reported Sunday in a pair of complementary papers in the journal Nature.)

"In the new work, Nagy and his colleagues in Toronto and at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland instead used a sequence of DNA known as a transposon, which can insert itself into the genetic machinery of a cell," Stein reported. "In this case, the researchers used a transposon called 'piggyBac' to carry four genes that can transform mouse and human embryonic skin cells into iPS cells. After the conversion took place, the researchers removed the added DNA from the transformed cells using a specific enzyme."

"This double sequence of non-virus delivery and complete removal of growth factors is what makes the finding so important for future research on patients," the Star reported. "Nagy likens the process to a space shuttle ditching its rocket once the fuel has burned up and the shuttle has reached space."

Stein provided quotes from two well-known researchers.

"It's very significant," said George Q. Daley, a stem cell researcher at Children's Hospital in Boston. "I think it's a major step forward in realizing the value of these cells for medical research."

"It's very exciting work," agreed Robert Lanza, a stem cell researcher at Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Mass. "With the new work, we're only a hair's breadth away from the biggest prize in regenerative medicine -- a way to create patient-specific cells that are safe enough to use clinically."

Naturally, some, while praising the research, insisted that work on embryonic stem cells research should continue. But what is clear is that the field of ethically acceptable alternatives is progressing by leaps and bounds. The following quote says it all.

"Stem cell research that requires destroying embryos is going the way of the Model T," Richard M. Doerflinger of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops told Stein. "No administration that values science and medical progress over politics will want to divert funds now toward that increasingly obsolete and needlessly divisive approach."

Scientists used embryonic skin cells for this study, but are confident that it will work in adult cells as well.

Much of the press coverage anticipating Obama's order continued to ignore or downplay the striking advances made in recent years in research using stem cells from non-embryonic sources, including adult stem cells and reprogrammed adult body cells (iPSCs). Do No Harm, a coalition of scientists and researchers opposed to embryo-killing stem cell research, has posted a list of over 70 different disorders for which there have been one or more peer-reviewed scientific studies showing a measure of positive benefits in human patients.

AGAIN -In contrast, Embryonic stem cells can only be obtained by killing the embryo, and embryonic stem cells have yet to benefit a single human patient, and have proven most adept at generating tumors. A report last month that fetal stem cells caused a tumor in an Israeli boy who was given an experimental treatment for a rare brain disease.

This breakthrough naturally begs the question: Can we stop destroying human embryos for their biological material now? Since embryos (just like fetuses and newborns and infants and adults) are human beings, embryonic stem cell research is unjust and unjustified. It is the killing of one person (actually many persons) in the theoretic attempt to save other people. Is it justifiable to kill one person in order to spare someone else from disease?

The embryonic stem cell research in particular (which is itself built on abortion) steals from tiny human beings the chance at life. They say to unborn children, "you're better off dead... the tiny cells from your unformed body are worth more to us than the entire sum of your future life... we have the choice, and so you don't get a chance." The value of individual human beings is sacrificed to the "greater good", which has been the historic basis for all sorts of social atrocities.

"It is a sad day when the federal government will fund research that exploits living members of the human species as raw material for research," said Douglas Johnson, a spokesman for the National Right to Life Committee. "Obama's order also places our society on a very steep, very slippery slope. Many researchers will not be satisfied to use only so-called surplus embryos. Many researchers are already demanding federal support for research in which human embryos would be created for the specific purpose of research, through human cloning and other methods, and there was nothing in the President's remarks today to limit NIH to the use of so-called surplus embryos created in IVF clinics." ...

Obama also issued a second directive purporting to free federally sponsored scientific research from the influence of "ideology." Johnson commented, "Giving an absolutely free hand to elites of specialists can result in the ideology of the specialists being imposed on society as a whole. Scientific endeavors that utilize human subjects or otherwise pose dangers to innocent human life must always be subject to oversight by society as a whole, through regular democratic processes." (info from National Right to Life)

"President Obama's new executive order on embryonic stem cell research is a sad victory of politics over science and ethics," said Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

"This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested. It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life. Finally, it ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support." ....

...."Science makes it clear that from fertilization a new human being exists, distinct from the father or mother, with his or her own internal principle directed toward continuing development towards adulthood. ... Providing public funding to support research on cells obtained through the destruction of human beings, especially at their most vulnerable stages, is an affront to the dignity of all persons, and beneath the moral stature of the United States of America."

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, accused Obama of ignoring social justice and human rights: "Medical science has confirmed that an embryo is human life regardless of President Obama's lack of education and understanding of the issue.

"Mr. Obama has said in the past it is 'above his pay grade' to know when human life begins," said Mahoney. "I would suggest as part of the billions spent on the stimulus package that the President's salary be raised so he could further his adult education to understand the basic facts of biology and social justice."

The Nazi scientists who experimented with eugenics or measuring the human reactions of subjects as they froze to death, were practicing science: ghoulish, even devilish science to be sure, but science nonetheless. Setting science above moral considerations is the age-old myth of neutrality, and the subtle self-deception of one who mistakes his view for objective truth.

Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for experiments that require the destruction of human life!

Obama has used the president's pen to create and damn millions of innocent children around the world to death, all in his bizarre mutilation of the concept of "humanity."

If Americans will go along with this, they will go along with anything!

If life itself is not sacred, then nothing on earth is sacred anymore!

Thomas Jefferson -"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever."

President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding experiments that destroy human life.

Journalism in major media outlets regarding President Obama's recent decision (3/9/09) to force taxpayers to pay for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (HESCR) was so poorly reported. Read this analysis of what you likely either missed or were misinformed about if the mainstream media was your only source for information: 9 Things the Media Messed Up About the Obama Stem Cell StoryThe media "should attempt to present the pertinent facts in any given story to help the public gain a well-rounded understanding of the issues at hand. This simply didn't happen in the Obama/stem cell story."

6 comments:

Please get your facts right before posting trash like this. Any unbiased, factual article about stem cell research will tell you that the embryonic stem cell research being done now will be almost entirely carried out on embryos left over from in vitro fertility treatments, which are to be discarded anyway. There are approximately 400,000 of these embryos frozen and stored around the U.S. Stem cell researchers aren't planning on ripping small children out of women's stomachs, they are simply using something that will be wasted otherwise, for the good of humanity, including your ass. Read an article once or twice, and open your mind (even just a crack), before you start spewing filth like this.

"But neither in his remarks nor in the executive order itself did he say anything about stopping human cloning for purposes other than human reproduction—such as cloning human embryos in order to extract their stem cells for research."

-Cloning embryos to extract their stem cells?? Really? Stem cells have the ability to reproduce practically infinitely, once harvested, and do not rely on the cloning of embryos. Ridiculous.

And if there is a reason why adult stems cells have produced results (although I dispute your claim that they have produced better results than embryonic stem cells), it's because they've been the only thing receiving research money, use your head. Neither adult nor embryonic stem cells can entirely reliably cure a damn thing reliably yet, that's why we need to do more research! Embryonic cells are "pluripotent" meaning they have the ability to become practically any of the 200 cells in the human body, while adult stem cells are only "multipotent"--they can only become cells from their own family, and are very rare in the adult body, severly impacting their usefulness. Just thought I'd point out some of those facts, since this article is woefully short on acutal facts or hard evidence. Thanks all.

Jessica -Why don't you do some research before spewing your filth about how it is justifiable to kill another human for research on my blog. There were many links in my post to many articles based on scientific research. Everything I stated was based on articles I read that were based on scientific research. Read some of them and get your facts right.

How about you open your eyes and find out what is actually happening!!!

Here's a link to an article I posted - I'm sure you haven't read it as you clearly have become a sucker for the lies that the media has told which is NOT based on scientific research but based on some kind of hope and speculation that killing babies will somehow help us.

Embryonic research has never been banned. Understand that the ability of research facilities and universities to commit to this research has never been limited by law or the government . The only thing that President Bush did was prevent the use of my tax dollars form being used to fund it. The reason the private sector will not fund this research is because they have found it leads them literally to a DEAD END.

Embryonic stem cell research has not produced any positive results. AND THAT IS A FACT!!! The research requires the destruction of human life and has NEVER helped a single patient.

So guess what???????????????

The private and university money has gone into ADULT stem cell research, induced pluripotent stem cells, and neonatal stem cells (found in the used placenta and umbilical cord) research --which can be obtained without doing the donor any harm-- and this kind of stem cell research (without killing days-old unborn children) is helping patients and saving lives now and has produced better results. Researchers have found 73 different diseases that can be helped by adult stem cells, including Type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s disease. And again, embryonic stem cells haven’t produced a single positive result. Now that these are facts based on scientific research.

However this new government under Obama is so anxious to waste away our tax dollars and kill unborn babies. So this research helps them waste the tax dollars while at the same time promoting their pro-abortion agenda.

I and other taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for experiments that require the destruction of human life!

You stated that killing another human being (since embryos just like fetuses and newborns and infants and adults are human beings & yes there is a link on the post with scientific proof that embryos are humans) is for the good of humanity. So now the killing of innocent human beings for research is for the good of humanity. How sick is that!!!!

Embryonic stem cell research is unjust and unjustified. It is the killing of one person (actually many persons) in the theoretic attempt to save other people. Is it justifiable to kill one person in order to spare someone else from disease?

If all you can spew is hatred for the unborn then stay away from my site as I am strongly pro life and will continue to post how it is wrong to kill these babies and will continue to fight for and defend their lives!!

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is an alternative methods for studying diseases that are more robust and better simulate how the disease develops in humans. The concerns expressed regarding chimerism may be a bit strong. Technological improvements with traditional ES cell microinjections have resulted in embryos which are 100% derived from the donor, not receipient, cells. Thus the first mice born are true clones of the source ES cells.Thanks!

My url: www.biotechnology-genetic-humancells.blogspot.comI also invite people to use my links and read more.

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I started this blog a few weeks before the 2008 election. I started it as a way to share articles, thoughts, quotes, pictures, videos, etc. with my family and friends that stand for truth, freedom, and conservative values . Yes, I do believe if we don't defend these conservative values, we will lose our freedoms. I invite all to read and to study the issues and find the facts. I am a Christian - (Latter Day Saint), so I will also post views from my church as well as views from the Catholic, Protestant Christians, and other Judeo-Christian Churches on political issues.John Adams' stated: "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people.""Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone. "I believe this statement to be true.Mitt Romney states:"Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history -but it is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter - on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course. Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people." I fully agree with him. We must all work together for the greater good.We are a nation 'Under God' and in God, we do indeed trust.